Cat chews on power cords - help!

Published 4:04 pm, Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Q:My adult male cat likes to chew on power cords and has actually chewed down to the wires! I watch him like a hawk, but it's really worrisome. Why is he doing this? And how can I make him stop?

A: As you know, this is a potentially dangerous behavior that needs to be corrected.

First, purchase cord-concealment products from your local office supply store. Second, examine how much playtime your boy is getting daily. Cats, adult or kitten, need a job. In nature, their job is to hunt for food and protect their territory. Since they no longer have either of these tasks, many cats get bored and make up a "job." Sometimes my male cat will dig at a hanging calendar on the wall. He does this for many reasons, but the main one is that he gets attention from me. Even if my reaction is in frustration, it is still interaction.

This is not to say you need to stop correcting your cat's immediate behavior of cord chewing, but also head him off at the pass. Playing with your cat every day will give him exercise, which burns calories and uses brain cells, equaling less boredom. Plus, it has the added bonus of you spending time with your cat. Contrary to belief, cats are extremely social. They want and need to spend time with their family. Check out the website Environment Enrichment for Cats at www.catvets.com.

If your cat chews other objects in your home, please speak with a cat behaviorist. Pica (the act of eating nonfood items) is a serious issue that needs to be explored.

Does your pet have a health or behavioral problem? E-mail questions to Ask the Vet at home@sfchronicle.com.

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